Is Delhi ready for India's C'wealth Games? Not even close

Is Delhi ready to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games? Well, judge for yourselves. Last month, an Indian swimmer was injured as she slipped on a loose grill on the day of the inauguration of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. The Times of India reports scathingly: The test event, National Federation Cup, was held to demonstrate that the swimming complex was games-ready. Instead, it looked far from ready. Loose tiles, loose grills, protruding iron rods, unfinished staircases and tonnes of rubbish outside told a sad story of unpreparedness, and worse, a slapdash attitude towards an event thats billed to raise Indias international prestige, but could easily end up as an embarrassment. This mishap underscores the pitfalls the organisers have to deal with in this land of contrasts. As for the country, so it is for the Commonwealth Games. For every successful inauguration there is a stadium mishap. And for every completed project there are yet more examples of woefully inadequate infrastructure. I drove past the Nehru stadium recently and it felt as if I was in the movie Inception; the architecture was in place but the dream was collapsing around it. I could see the expressways - but I had been stuck in traffic for an hour. No wonder the Queen has decided her schedule is a bit busy in October. True, the Delhi metro is a commuters paradise compared with Londons Tube. And the recently opened Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi airport is as impressive as Heathrows Terminal Five. But the internecine squabbles mean bureaucracy and corruption may yet destroy Indias hope of a successful Games. The Indian Government is already over budget and a huge number of projects are behind schedule. Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, a former Sports Minister, has said publicly that he hopes the Games are unsuccessful. He explained that the funds should have been put to better use, saying: If the Commonwealth Games are successful, they will further organise Asian Games and other events... I will be happy if the Games are spoilt. An unbelievable comment, but possibly made to disassociate himself from the widespread allegations of bribery and corruption associated with the Games. In a belated response to complaints from (increasingly vigilant) anti-corruption activists, Indias Central Bureau of Investigation and Vigilance Commission says it has found irregularities in contracts for fourteen Commonwealth Games-related projects. Consequently, investigators will now have to make a thorough audit of the tenders for all Games venues and infrastructure, a process that will be going on long after the closing ceremony on October 13. Its not only the anti-corruption lobby thats been piling pressure on the beleaguered organisers. The Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA), along with the labour department and Delhi authorities, has ensured the rights of workers under labour laws, meaning more than 2,000 workers have been registered and verified. This protection for labourers is seen as a further setback for panicking contractors, made worse by Delhis chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who threatened to blacklist any companies if they failed to meet construction deadlines. As I write this, the newspaper on my desk tells me that Indias first hydrogen bus will make its trial run during the Commonwealth Games. I cant help but smile. If things carry on as they are itll need a hydrogen bomb - neatly placed under the organisers backsides - to make these Games a success. Courtesy Telegraph